{This is the sixth in a semi-regular series of posts regarding great cinematic sex scenes as defined by me. This is completely arbitrary and open for interpretation, but so is life.}

"9 1/2 Weeks" is a high-water mark for Hollywood soft-core pornography with a stellar cast led by Mickey Rourke and Kim Basinger, who enter into a highly sexual relationship that touches on themes of cross-dressing, masturbation, stripping and force-feeding your partner various items from the refrigerator.

With multiple sexual encounters, it was hard to choose the best of the bunch, however, for pure sexual tension and mystery I would go with the opening one where Rourke blindfolds Basinger.

This occurs at the beginning of their relationship, which obviously involves a high degree of trust on Basinger's part because I sure as hell wouldn't give Rourke the benefit of the doubt (and he was my favorite actor for many years). But Kim rolls the dice, and Rourke rewards her by rubbing ice cubes around her nipples, across her stomach and down around her panty line.

Basinger shivers and moans in appreciation. Rourke looks happy as a pig in shit, and this scene proves to be a wonderful launching pad for the rest of the movie as their relationship turns increasingly more depraved as the running time grows.

The film also boasts other very good scenes such as Basinger alone and watching art gallery slides as well as a rainy romp on an outdoor stairwell where Rourke tears Bassinger's shirt apart as they grind against each other following a run-in with some street toughs.

But for my money, this opening scene with the blindfold, ice cubes and sexual tension simmering to a boil leads the pack in a movie with many pleasures of the flesh.

Bostonpobble - I try to tell people about my tastes at every stretch. Ha. And the food scene is interesting, but not the best in mind.

Jlee - It's certainly worth another rental (I own a copy) and I can't believe this film ever made it onto regular TV as that would be a complete waste of time and it would probably run about 27 minutes after they edited everyting out.

I hold this movie personally responsible for convincing everyone that honey makes a great lubricant...not only is it too sticky, it is a bitch to get off and god forbid you get it stuck in the pubes. I remember seeing this movie and wanting to wear very heavy eye makeup for weeks thinking it was so sexy on her and that Mickey Rourke was hot....what happened to this guy, he looks like the walking dead with too many facelifts lately.